They appeared in the main living room. Goku took one glance around and spotted Bulma coming in from the nearby kitchen, her face distraught.
"Where is he?" Neka demanded, releasing his hand and going to Bulma's side.
"This way," she said, and led the way down one of the halls.
Gohan got in behind his mother and Goku followed from behind, mind spinning. He still didn't know any details, only that Vegeta was in trouble. He didn't feel any powerful energy signatures other than those he was familiar with. He could only assume whatever Vegeta did, he did it to himself.
Bulma stopped outside a room, and opened the door slowly, peeking inside.
"He's still out," she said softly.
"Stand aside," Neka ordered. But before she could make a move, the door opened and Cerise stepped out.
She looked exhausted and panicked all at once. In her hands was a bucket of water with some rags floating within.
"Oh!" she gasped, then stepped out of the room, pulling the door with her foot so it was only open a crack. "Sorry, I was just trying to keep his fever down," she said. "It's nice you're here. I just need to get fresh cool water. Uh, so..." She then slipped past them, but not without saying, "Hey Gohan."
"Hi Cerise," Gohan greeted before she vanished down the hall.
"She's been with him ever since the explosion," Bulma said. "Making sure when he wakes up he doesn't just go out there again. He got hurt yesterday and still went back out there."
"Idiot," Neka breathed. "He's too stubborn. We'll stay here and make certain he rests."
"If that's okay, Miss Bulma," Gohan piped in.
Goku nearly chuckled at his son's manners versus Neka's.
"Of course, we've plenty of room," Bulma said. "I think Cerise wants to check her Energy Reader on Super Saiyans anyway. If you can pry her from Vegeta's side."
There was a certain gleam in her eyes as she said the words. Neka shifted, and Goku felt a prickle of discomfort from her in his mind. She already knew that Cerise and Vegeta would end up together, why was she reacting like that?
"I'm going to go in," Neka said.
"Me too," Gohan said.
Without another word the two of them went into the room, leaving Goku and Bulma in the hall. The blue haired girl glanced at him with a perked brow.
"Are you going too?" she asked.
Goku shook his head. "If Vegeta happens to wake up, I highly doubt he wants to see my face first thing. Even with Neka and Gohan there."
Bulma shrugged. "I suppose that's a good point. Do you think he'll ever get over that?"
Goku sighed softly. "Honestly I don't know. I like to hope so, but we can see here just how stubborn he is."
"But there's something else there too."
Goku turned his head to see that Cerise was back. She held Goku's gaze with what seemed like fierceness in her own.
"I've seen it, if only a glimpse," she said. "He has a heart. It's just..." She looked down at her feet for a moment, then met Goku's eyes again. "Well armored."
Goku smiled a little, and she smiled back. "I believe you," he said.
Cerise gave him a nod then ducked into the room.
As she approached the bed, Goku saw his wife give her a small nod of approval before taking Gohan's hand and coming back out into the hall.
"Moron," Neka sighed heavily. "One day, he might learn, but I can't see it being any time soon."
"He'll get there," Bulma assured her. "Cerise has certainly helped keep him in check. Without her, I'm sure he'd left the planet to train, and who would keep an eye on him then?"
"I would have gone after him," Neka said. There was a far off look in her eyes as she stared while Cerise placed a rag on Vegeta's brow. "I don't want to lose him again."
Goku felt genuine pain from her then. He reached forward and gripped her shoulder, letting her know he was there. She offered him a smile.
"Come on," she said. "Let's go find a room nearby."
*.*.*
Vegeta was aware of the pain first. He felt it in his arm, several of his ribs; broken, no doubt. Then there were the lacerations all along his skin. His armor hadn't seemed to do much to protect him. He blinked open his eyes slowly, finding a white ceiling overhead. He wasn't in the infirmary like last time, the ceiling fan gave that away. To his left was a window, showing a bright afternoon with birds dancing about a small elevated saucer full of water.
He tried not to feel anger. Anger that he'd been a fool. Anger that he'd let himself get to this state. Anger that he hadn't been strong enough.
He turned his head away from the window, feeling twinges of pain from that small movement alone. Then he spotted her.
Cerise was to his right, sitting at a desk at his bedside, fast asleep with her head in her arms.
What was she doing here? Vegeta blinked several times, trying to understand. Perhaps making certain he didn't go out to continue his training. Well that was out of the question- he wasn't certain he could move even if he wanted to.
Steadily, Cerise blinked open her eyes. For a moment she stared out the window blankly, her eyes still glazed with sleep. Then she looked at him and met his gaze.
That's when she fell out of the chair with a yelp.
"Vegeta!" She was back up in an instant, her eyes wide as she gaped at him. "You're awake!"
"I am," Vegeta responded blandly, taken aback by how happy she looked. He was too tired to yell at her for being so close.
"Ah, I was so worried!" Cerise said with a hefty sigh, then suddenly she looked livid. "You moron! You could have died!"
Vegeta felt a twinge of irritation. "Nonsense, I'm a Saiyan, it takes more than-"
"It doesn't matter if you're a Saiyan or not, idiot, vitals still work the same!" Cerise barked. "If too much strain is placed on the body then it will perish, come on!" She took a deep breath then shook her head. "But apparently you'll be stronger when you recover. So it wasn't all for naught." She examined him, chewing her lip. "You're something, you know that?"
Vegeta raised a brow at her. "What is that supposed to mean?"
"You're a stubborn ass, but at the same time it's kind of admirable," Cerise said, folding her arms. "You really care about your family, don't you? You wouldn't push yourself so hard otherwise."
Vegeta felt his heart skip a beat. He nearly snapped at her, nearly told her that he wasn't so soft. That he wanted to get stronger for himself. But in reality... he never trained so hard. Never had he brought himself to the brink like this. Not outside of true combat. But the feeling that he needed to defend Neka and Gohan was nearly over shadowed by another need.
To beat Kakarot.
Yet somehow, seeing the way Cerise was looking at him... he felt no need to correct her. But that didn't mean he was going to confirm anything. He turned his gaze to the window, letting out a soft grunt.
"How soon until I can train again?" he demanded.
"I'd say a couple of months at least," Cerise said.
Vegeta's head snapped back. "A couple of months?" Neka had already gotten him up to speed on how time passed on this world. "That's far too long!"
"Hardly!" Cerise said sharply. "You've loads of broken bones, buster! So tough titties!"
That weird phrase of hers again. Vegeta grit his teeth. "I'm a warrior, not some soft-"
"Yes, you're a warrior," Cerise said, a hint of exhaustion in her tone. "But you're also mortal. If you try to go out there before you're fully healed, you'll be no use to anyone! You'll get some permanent damage!"
She turned, beginning to leave.
"Where are you going?" Vegeta asked, finding himself a little sorry to see her leave. He told himself it was because he would be bored to tears without anyone in this room.
"To tell your sister you're awake," Cerise said.
Vegeta's heart skipped a beat. "Neka's here?!"
"Yes, and she's going to help me make sure you're not a moron and leave your bed earlier than needed," Cerise informed him with a smile before turning the corner and going out of sight.
*.*.*
"He's awake?"
Neka was standing before any of the others. Bulma was going over some books with Gohan; keeping up with his schooling so she said. Goku and Neka had been eating, the evidence being bowls upon bowls of what used to be full of rice, noodles, and dumplings.
"Yes, and seems to be in a decent mood," Cerise said. She looked like she'd just woken up, her pink hair a mess and her eyes lidded. "I'm going to go sleep in a bed, if no one has any objections."
It had been a week since Neka and her family had arrived, and Cerise hadn't been away from Vegeta's side longer than to get more rags for his fever. Even when that broke, she refused to leave him alone until he woke.
"You've earned it, girl," Bulma said.
Cerise chuckled lightly before turning and staggering down the hall. "He's waiting for you, Neka," she called over her shoulder.
"Go on," Goku said. "I doubt he wants to see me."
Neka knew he was right but wished it wasn't the case. Could her brother ever get along with her husband? It seemed unlikely.
"I'll catch up," Gohan added. "I think he'll want to spend some time with you."
Neka sighed then nodded. She wasn't going to argue. It had been too long since she'd had a moment alone with Vegeta.
She found him in his room, staring out the window. She stood in the doorway for a moment, heart hammering. Somehow, she was nervous. Without Gohan here, Vegeta could say anything. Like how he was disappointed in how soft she'd gotten. Of how much he hated Goku.
But she stepped through the doorway anyway. Whatever he had to say, she had a rebuttal.
"Where's Gohan?" was the first thing out of Vegeta's mouth.
It seemed he too was nervous.
"With Bulma and Goku," Neka said. "He'll be along in a bit."
For a moment they were silent, not looking at one another.
"A fine mess you've gotten yourself in," Neka finally said gruffly, sitting in the chair by his bed.
Vegeta glanced at her. "Better than slacking."
The first jab. Neka bit her tongue. "Gohan deserves something in life besides training," she said. "Look at what it's done to us."
"It made us strong," Vegeta said. "Is relaxing Kakarot's idea?"
"You know it's not," Neka said. "He'd rather start on training."
Vegeta opened his mouth again, but Neka cut in.
"Please, just... stop. We finally have a moment, and all you want to do is argue?"
Vegeta's mouth closed and he let out a tight breath through his nostrils. He looked at her and held her gaze this time. "What's it like?"
"What?" Neka blinked.
"Super Saiyan."
Neka looked away, feeling her cheeks heat with embarrassment. She knew Vegeta had to have some resentment toward her for reaching that pinnacle first. He was the older twin after all. But she took a breath and answered all the same.
"Wild. It feels unstable at first, but after a few times transforming it isn't so bad."
"You've done it again?" Vegeta's eyes were wide.
Neka looked back at him. "Goku wanted to practice while we were on Yardrat. We can transform at will now. It's not so raw feeling. More controllable."
Vegeta let out a long exhale and looked at the ceiling. "I'll reach that level. I promise you."
"I know you will," Neka said. She reached out and gripped his shoulder. "You just have to stop being a moron about training. You can't ascend if you're dead."
Vegeta grunted, but Neka thought she saw a hint of a smile on his lips. "Fine. Between you and Cerise I suppose I can't win."
"No, and if I catch you out of this bed, the explosion will seem like a tickle," Neka said harshly.
"Glad to see you've not grown completely soft." Vegeta met her gaze. "Listen. Neka..." He swallowed, and Neka could see something in his eyes.
He didn't have to say the words. They were twins, raised together, fought together, she knew him too well.
"It's okay, Vegeta," she said softly, her grip on his shoulder tightening. "I forgive you."
Vegeta looked away at that point, a different sort of look stealing his gaze now. She couldn't place that one. She'd never seen it before.
"Vegeta!"
Gohan came barreling into the room, a beam on his face.
Vegeta looked back, the previous gleam in his eyes gone, now replaced with a soft fondness that Neka was still getting used to. It seemed letting Vegeta train Gohan while they were on Yardrat was a good call. It had caused Vegeta to open up a little.
"Gohan," Vegeta greeted him with a stiff nod.
"How are you feeling?" Gohan asked.
Vegeta grunted in annoyance. "What does it look like?"
Gohan laughed. "Well at least you admit you're hurt!"
Vegeta glared out the window again.
*.*.*
"So what are we all here for?"
Vegeta, was of course, the first to speak. It was nearly two months since his accident, and all he had left was his arm in a sling. Cerise tried to calm her nerves. Before her was just about everyone. Neka, Goku, Gohan, Vegeta, Bulma, Yamcha, Krillin, Tien, Chiaotzu, even Piccolo.
"I've done it!" Cerise exclaimed, unable to hold it in any longer. "The gene! The gene!" Cerise bounced foot to foot, beaming. "I knew there had to be something that was specific to energy and I found it!"
"What are you talking about?" Bulma asked, tilting her head.
"The Saiyans!" Cerise cried. "They have access to more energy, or chi, than humans, right? Well I found it! Of course there are several different genes between humans and Saiyans, but this is the only one that reacts to my artificial energy charge! This is it! If I can replicate this and place it into humans- we can be just as strong as Saiyans!"
Bulma gaped at her. "You're kidding me. What about transformations?"
Cerise calmed and frowned. "Well, I'll have to find that gene next, but I highly doubt that will be as easy. I need to get to work on this."
"That's great news, Cerise!" Gohan said cheerfully, smiling at her.
Cerise felt her giddiness return. She'd been trying to track down the key to making humans more able to use energy for years. With this, she might just make a difference in the fight against Gero.
"So when can we use it?" Yamcha asked, looking as excited as she was.
"Don't be ridiculous," Vegeta barked. "Humans could never be as strong as Saiyans."
"That boy from the future was," Tien pointed out.
Vegeta grunted and glared at the floor.
"Well, that's the thing, making it compatible might be a little tricky. Annnnd dangerous," Cerise sighed and bit her lip. "Which is why I'm going to test it on myself first."
"What?!" Over half the room cried.
"Cerise, don't be a moron," Bulma chided. "We don't know what it'll do, and we need you!"
"We need everyone! Especially the fighters!" Cerise said irritably. "And not to mention, I've never died before. According to you guys being wished back after one death is a little tricky."
"She's not wrong," Piccolo said. "It would be a little hard contacting the new Namek to use a wish."
"Hard, not really!" Goku interjected. "King Kai could communicate for us!"
"All the same, I'm not letting anyone else do this," Cerise said firmly. "It's my father who is putting hte world at stake. I had a chance to sabotage his plans and I didn't. So I'm just as responsible."
"You were fleeing a fate worse than death," Neka said. "I hardly see that as something you should take blame for."
"Regardless, no one is budging me on this." Cerise folded her arms.
"The hell we aren't."
Cerise blinked in surprise when Vegeta of all people spoke out. He stormed toward her, anger gleaming in his eyes. "We have no idea if it will do something worse than death to you."
"It's nothing the Dragon can't fix, right?" Cerise said, feeling small under his glare despite him only being half a head taller than her.
"Do you think the Dragon is just waiting around to fix your screw ups?" Vegeta demanded. "We might need those wishes for something more important!"
His words stung, but Cerise saw something else in his face as he looked away.
"Besides," Vegeta went on. "If it does work it'll be a total waste on you. You've no combat experience at all! At least give it to a human that's capable."
That really burned. But again, there was just something in how Vegeta refused to look at her now. In his tone... she couldn't quite place it.
"Despite how rude he sounds, he has a point," Neka said. "Are you planning on fighting, Cerise?"
Cerise held back her answer. The truth was that she had been preparing a second gauntlet now that the first one was next to perfected. It could absorb and reflect energy like nothing now. She was designing plans for boots that would allow her flight as well, which meant she would need to put jets in the hands to stable out...
All that gear was sized to her and no one else.
"Let me do it," Krillin suddenly said, stepping forward.
"No way Krillin, you've died twice!" Yamcha argued.
"So?" Krillin folded his arms. "You've died once! No matter which of us Z Fighters does it, we'll be calling Namek if we die!"
"How long do you need to make this thing compatible, Cerise?" Neka asked.
"A week or two," Cerise said.
"Then let Krillin do it," Neka said.
Krillin beamed at her and Yamcha pouted. Neka shot him a glare. "Bulma wouldn't let you either, so shut up," she said.
"She's got a point," Bulma admitted.
Yamcha groaned.
"Alright," Cerise sighed, conceding. "I'll let you all know when it's ready."
*.*.*
The experiment with Krillin went over well enough. He was no worse for wear after the injection, and the adapting process was only painful enough to make him scream in agony for about six minutes. But he was alive, and unscathed. Cerise insisted on keeping him monitored over the next month, for the results weren't going to be instant.
However as the Z Fighters began training in earnest, Vegeta joining them once he recovered, it was evident that Krillin was pulling ahead of the other in strength. Cerise gave the injection to Yamcha, Tien and Chiaotzu after two months, all of whom reacted to it similarly to Krillin.
And so, with the Z Fighters training, Cerise working on her slowly assembling combat suit, and helping Bulma go over android schematics she could remember, they all prepared in their own way.
But more than just training was accomplished. After a year, Bulma revealed to everyone she and Yamcha were to be wed, and not long after the wedding did she mention that she was pregnant. Meanwhile, Cerise and Vegeta began to spend more and more time together, creating gossip among the others. Vegeta would come to the labs where she worked between training sessions, at first to give her more blood samples to work with, but even when she had enough, he'd still return every day.
It wasn't until about year and a half after Cerise gave Krillin the first injection did anything spark from it.
*.*.*
Cerise stared at the chest piece, her head in her hands. She wanted it to be protective, sure, but the girl inside of her also wanted it to look at least a little sleek. Right not it looked like a hunk of metal. Not to mention, weight was going to be an issue.
Maybe she should ask Vegeta to teach her how to fly after all.
"That infernal baby's crying is going to drive me up the wall!"
Speak of the devil.
Cerise turned to see Vegeta storm into the lab, his fists clenched. He plopped down into his usual chair and brought his knee to his chest. "Why that fool Yamcha insists on letting his woman and that brat watch us train is beyond me!"
"I could mention something to Bulma," Cerise offered.
Lately, more and more she found herself almost uncomfortable in his presence. Like she was watching her every move. Making sure she didn't embarrass herself in any way. But at the same time, she loved it when he came to visit. How he showed up every day around the same time, mainly just to complain it seemed. But all the same, that he chose her to vent to...
She liked that.
She liked him.
Damn it she liked him...
But she could never tell him. Never express her growing feelings- feeling for him of all people. A jackass. A stubborn asshole... a monster even... Yet still... here she was. Loving the way he yelled, loving the way he complained, loving him being there.
Loving him.
Oh, I've fallen way too far, she thought sourly.
Because she knew there was no way this could end well... was there?
Vegeta let out a irritated sigh and looked at her. "What are you doing over there?"
"Me? Oh, uh." Cerise looked back at her chest piece.
"Are you still making that stupid suit?" Vegeta demanded.
"Yes," Cerise said indignantly. "And it's not stupid. It just needs some work."
Vegeta got to his feet and walked to her side, looking over the chest piece. "It looks horrendous."
"Yeah," Cerise muttered. "I was working on that. Bulma's better at that whole making robotics look nice thing, though. I might ask her to... what are you staring at?"
Vegeta had been looking at her intently while she spoke, and she only just noticed when she turned her head. She felt heat flame her cheeks.
"Nothing," Vegeta muttered, glancing away. "So ask her then."
"I... I will." Cerise swallowed. What was this feeling...?
Vegeta stood there awkwardly for a few more seconds before he looked at her again.
"Cerise."
She still wasn't used to him saying her name. He rarely used it, and it was usually when he was going to say something serious.
"Yeah?"
"Have you... never mind." He suddenly began to walk toward the door.
"Hey, wait!" Cerise caught him by the arm. "What is it?" She half laughed.
Vegeta froze at her touch. She saw him look at her hand on his arm before he let out an irritated sigh.
"Damn you," he whispered.
"What?" Cerise began, but suddenly Vegeta whirled on her.
He gripped her upper arms, and for a split second, Cerise was terrified. What was going on? Did she make him mad? Should she yell?
But then his lips met hers.
Cerise was frozen with shock for what felt like days. What?! Vegeta- kissing her?! Her heart was hammering in her ears. His kiss was hard and insistent. Cerise slowly closed her eyes, and felt herself begin to meld with him. She reached out, touching his sides as Vegeta's hands moved to her shoulders.
Just when she was about to wrap her arms around him, Vegeta was suddenly gone.
Cerise blinked rapidly, spotting Vegeta's back as he practically sprinted from the room. She took a step forward, her mouth still warm from his. And even despite the fact that Vegeta was now out of sight, she smiled.
*.*.*
The day for the androids to appear was upon them.
Gohan flew along side his mother and father, feeling a sense of anxiety fill his gut with knots. He knew all of them were stronger, but he had to wonder, was it enough? Not to mention his father never got sick. He wasn't sure why, but there was never any need for the medicine that the kids from the future brought back.
It meant that either those guys were lying, or that they changed the path of time somehow.
"You alright, Gohan?" Goku asked, smiling over at him.
Gohan had finally been able to get to know his father the past three years. It was nice, and he realized that all the stories his mother told him about Goku were more than true. He was kindhearted, strong, and a little dense sometimes.
"Yeah," Gohan replied. "I just hope we're ready."
"We are," Neka said with confidence, her eyes straight forward and filled with determination. "We have to be."
It was true. If they weren't prepared, then the future that those kids came from would be upon them. A future in which everything was lost.
"Hey guys!"
Gohan swiveled his head to see Krillin and Yamcha heading toward them. They had parted with them for the last month so that they could spend some time at home. Neka seemed to be very adamant that they spend some time relaxing and being with each other before the androids appeared. Gohan wondered if she was as worried as he was.
"Hey!" Goku beamed at their friends. "Where's Tien and Chiaotzu?"
"They split off around the same time you guys did," Yamcha said. "Meditation I think. You know how much those guys love waterfalls."
"And Vegeta?" Neka inquired.
"Still no word," Krillin sighed.
About six months back, Vegeta and Cerise had gone off on their own, Cerise being nearly eight months pregnant. Bulma had been livid when they left one day without a word, Cerise's suit pieces along with them. Gohan still was flabbergasted that Vegeta ended up with Cerise of all people. He was certain she was the bane of his existence. But it seemed that opposites attract.
"Well hopefully they're both alright," Goku said.
Neka looked forward again, a gleam of worry in her eyes.
"I'm sure their fine," Yamcha said. "I just wonder if they've had time to train at all with the baby and everything."
"Do you think Cerise even went to a hospital to have it?" Gohan asked.
"Who knows?" Krillin said. "Neka are their any Saiyan traditions for birth?"
"Not particularly," Neka said. "Other than how the children were sent off world to conquer their first planets. But that was all Frieza's doing."
"I should hope Vegeta doesn't keep to Frieza's traditions," Yamcha said.
South City bloomed before them, an island city that was surprisingly large considering the isolated location. The five of them touched down on a bluff overlooking the skyscrapers and elevated roads winding through them.
"So you think those kids from the future will be back soon?" Krillin asked.
"They said that they would," Goku said.
"It's strange, no time will pass for them at all," Gohan chipped in. "Meanwhile we've had three years without seeing them."
"It is weird," Krillin said with a small sigh. Then he looked up at the sky. "Look there!"
Gohan turned his head and beamed at the sight of Tien and Chiaotzu heading their way.
"Hey everyone!" Chiaotzu greeted cheerfully.
"Hey guys," Yamcha stepped forward and gripped Tien's arm. "How's it going?"
"Could be better, considering the androids," Tien said. "But we can handle it, I'm sure. How's Bulma and Trunks?"
"Great," Yamcha said. "Bulma was a little mad I wouldn't let her come but-"
At that exact moment, Yamcha's voice was drowned out by an approaching air vehicle.
Gohan turned and to see none other than Bulma touching down on the bluff beside them. Yamcha cursed as the engines died down and she hopped out, holding a toddler with light purple hair.
"Bulma!" Yamcha snapped. "What are you doing here with Trunks?!"
"I just wanted a little peek," Bulma said, grinning toward him. "Come on, I'll just take one look then I'll leave. After all this talk with Cerise and going over the possible schematics, I've got to see! Where is she anyway?"
"Her and Vegeta still aren't here," Neka said. There was irritation in her voice. "Honestly, vanishing before the baby was even born..."
"Vegeta wanted to go and train alone, and Cerise wasn't about to let him," Bulma said with a shrug. "Aw, does Auntie Neka want to see her little niece or nephew?"
"Shut up," Neka barked at her, but the rest of the Z Fighters laughed.
"It is a little amusing seeing you sentimental."
Piccolo landed beside Gohan, and he beamed up at the Namekian. "Mister Piccolo!"
"Hey kid," Piccolo smiled at him.
"Good to see you," Goku said, grinning over. "Ready for this?"
"As I'll ever be." Piccolo shrugged.
"Well, it's nearly time," Krillin said, folding his arms. "Shall we?"
"I suppose so," Yamcha said.
"Oh, by the way," Tien held up a small pouch. "I stopped by Korin's before coming here. Senzu beans."
"Good idea," Goku said. "We're not sure just how strong these guys are."
"What about those kids from the future?" Chiaotzu asked.
"Well, they aren't the only ones late for the party," Neka said. "I'm going to punch Vegeta for this. It's not like the world is at stake or anything. Honestly."
That gained another round of laughter, but it was stiff this time, a layer of wariness coating it. After all, those two from the future claimed all of them were to be killed by the androids. But this time they had Goku, and they'd been training. Gohan had to hope that would make a difference.
It had to.
AUTHOR'S NOTE:::
Sorry this chappy is a little shorter than normal, annnnd that I've been gone from here for so long. I've been going through a lot of tough stuff in life right now, so fanfics have been taking a step back... Otherwise, I hope you guys enjoy this, and the next chappy will be longer, I swear! Time for the androids!
As always, thank you guys so much for the reads, reviews, follows and favs! Love you guys!
-Red